EL ORIGEN DEL INFIERNO apologista | enero 9, 2011 at 1:19 am | Etiquetas: hebreos, infierno, NT, origen, paganismo | URL: http://wp.me/p6Hrw-8bY

 

“INFIERNO”, explica la New Catholic Encyclopedia, es la palabra que “se emplea para indicar el lugar de los condenados”. Una enciclopedia protestante define infierno como “el lugar donde se castiga a los inicuos después de la muerte”. Pero las iglesias principales de la cristiandad no son las únicas que creen que hay un lugar donde se inflige castigo después de la muerte. Esa creencia se originó muchos siglos antes de que surgiera la cristiandad.

El infierno mesopotámico

Unos 2.000 años antes del nacimiento de Jesús, los sumerios y los babilonios creían en un mundo subterráneo que llamaban el país sin retorno. Esa creencia antigua se refleja en los poemas sumerios y acadios conocidos como “La epopeya de Gilgamés” y el “Descenso de Istar a los infiernos”. Estos describen la morada de los muertos como una casa de oscuridad, “la casa de la cual nadie que ha entrado en ella puede salir”.

Respecto a las condiciones que imperan allí, un antiguo texto asirio dice que “el otro mundo está lleno de terror”. El príncipe asirio a quien supuestamente se le concedió ver esta morada subterránea de los muertos testificó que le “temblaron las piernas” por lo que vio. Al describir a Nergal, el rey del mundo subterráneo, el príncipe escribió: “Con un clamor horroroso me gritó airadamente como una furiosa tormenta”.

Religiones de Egipto y del Oriente

Los egipcios de la antigüedad creían en la inmortalidad del alma y tenían su propio concepto del más allá. The New Encyclopædia Britannica declara: “Los textos funerarios de los egipcios describen el camino al otro mundo como estando lleno de peligros terribles: monstruos espantosos, lagos de fuego, puertas por donde no se puede pasar a menos que se usen fórmulas mágicas, y un barquero siniestro cuya intención malvada hay que frustrar por medios mágicos”.

Las religiones indoiranias desarrollaron diversas creencias acerca del castigo después de la muerte. Respecto al hinduismo, la Encyclopædia Universalis francesa dice: “Hay innumerables descripciones de los 21 infiernos ideados por los hindúes. Los pecadores son devorados por bestias salvajes y serpientes, asados laboriosamente, mutilados, atormentados con sed y hambre, hervidos en aceite, o pulverizados en recipientes de hierro o piedra”.

El jainismo y el budismo tienen sus propias interpretaciones del infierno, donde se atormenta a los pecadores impenitentes. El zoroastrismo, fundado en Irán, o Persia, también tiene un infierno: un lugar frío y hediondo donde se atormenta a las almas de los pecadores.

Es interesante notar que parece que los tormentos del infierno no son eternos según las creencias egipcia, hindú, jainí, budista y zoroástrica. Según estas religiones, después de un período de sufrimiento, las almas de los pecadores pasan a otro lugar u otra condición, dependiendo del concepto que tenga la religión en particular sobre el destino humano. Sus ideas acerca del infierno son similares al concepto católico del purgatorio.

Los infiernos griego, etrusco y romano

Los griegos de la antigüedad creían en la supervivencia del alma (psy•kjé, la palabra que también usaban para la mariposa). Llamaban Hades a la región de los muertos, y creían que la gobernaba un dios que llevaba ese mismo nombre. En el libro Orpheus—A General History of Religions, el erudito francés Salomon Reinach escribió lo siguiente acerca de los griegos: “Una creencia muy popular era que [el alma] entraba en las regiones infernales después de haber cruzado el río Estigia en la barca del viejo barquero Caronte, quien exigía como pasaje un óbolo [moneda], que se colocaba en la boca del difunto. En las regiones infernales, [el alma] comparecía ante los tres jueces de ese lugar [...]; si se le condenaba por sus delitos, tenía que sufrir en el Tártaro. [...] Los griegos hasta inventaron un limbo, la morada de los niños que habían muerto durante la infancia, y un purgatorio, donde se purificaban las almas mediante cierto castigo leve”. Según The World Book Encyclopedia, las almas que iban a parar al Tártaro “sufrían tormento eterno”.

En Italia los etruscos —cuya civilización precedió a la de los romanos— también creían en el castigo después de la muerte. El Dictionnaire des Religions comenta: “Los etruscos cuidaban mucho de sus muertos debido al concepto que tenían de las regiones infernales. Como los babilonios, ellos creían que eran lugares de tortura y desesperación para los manes [los espíritus de los muertos]. El único alivio para ellos venía de las ofrendas propiciatorias que hacían sus descendientes”. Otra fuente declara: “Las tumbas de los etruscos muestran escenas de horror que sirvieron de inspiración para las pinturas cristianas del infierno”.

Los romanos adoptaron el infierno etrusco y lo llamaron Orco o Infierno. También tomaron de los griegos los mitos acerca de Hades, el rey del mundo subterráneo, y lo llamaron Orco o Plutón.

Los judíos y las Escrituras Hebreas

¿Qué hay de los judíos que vivieron antes de los días de Jesús? Respecto a ellos, la Encyclopædia Britannica (1970) dice: “Desde el siglo V a.C. en adelante, los judíos estuvieron en contacto estrecho con los persas y los griegos, quienes tenían ideas muy avanzadas sobre el más allá. [...] Para el tiempo de Cristo, los judíos ya creían que las almas inicuas serían castigadas en el Gehena después de la muerte”. No obstante, la Encyclopædia Judaica declara: “En las Escrituras no hay ninguna indicación de este concepto posterior del Gehena”.

Esta última declaración es correcta. No hay ninguna indicación en las Escrituras Hebreas de que se castigue después de la muerte a un alma en un infierno de fuego. Esta doctrina escalofriante provino de las religiones posdiluvianas de Babilonia, no de la Biblia. La doctrina de la cristiandad sobre el castigo en el infierno se originó de los babilonios primitivos. La idea católica del sufrimiento remediador en el purgatorio se remonta a las religiones primitivas de Egipto y del Oriente. El limbo se tomó de la mitología griega. Las oraciones y ofrendas a favor de los muertos eran prácticas de los etruscos.

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Edifica sobre la roca - Cristo.

11. “Así pues, a quien escuche Mis palabras y las ponga por obra, lo compararé con el varón prudente, que edificó su casa firmemente sobre roca. Y cayó la lluvia, vinieron las aguas y soplaron los vientos sobre la casa; pero no se derrumbó, porque estaba fundada sobre roca.

12. “Pero a quien escuche estas palabras y no las ponga por obra, se le comparará con un necio, que edificó su casa sobre arena. Y cayó la lluvia, y vinieron los torrentes, y soplaron los vientos y dieron sobre la casa, y se derrumbó, y grande fue su desplome. Pero una ciudad que ha sido edificada firmemente, rodeada por firme muralla circular o en la cima de un monte, y fundada sobre una roca, no puede caer jamás, ni estar oculta”.

13. Y sucedió que, habiendo Jesús acabado estos discursos, se maravillaban de Su enseñanza las muchedumbres; pues les enseñaba hablando a la cabeza y al corazón, y no hablaba como los escribas, que sólo enseñaban en razón de su oficio. (Cap. 27, 11-13)



Cristo explica, rectifica y profundiza la palabra:



Quien escucha Mis palabras y las cumple, está desarrollando su vida espiritual. Está basando su vida en Mí, la roca. Entonces también vencerá todas las tempestades y aguas. Después de esta vida terrenal, su alma entrará conscientemente en la vida espiritual y no será allí forastera, porque ya en la Tierra el hombre habrá vivido en el reino del interior.

El espíritu profético es el fuego en el profeta y en todos los iluminados. Dios no ha hablado ni habla a través de ellos como los que sólo “enseñaban en razón de su oficio”. Los profetas e iluminados han hablado y siguen hablando por poder del Eterno, del Dios hablante, tanto si los hombres quieren reconocer esto como si no.



Está escrito: “hablando a la cabeza y al corazón”. Lo que acoge el intelecto, la cabeza, es hablado y discutido por los intelectuales. A pesar de todo, más de una semillita cae en su corazón. Quien acoge la palabra de la vida con el corazón, también la hace vibrar en su corazón y hace que en seguida germine la buena siembra, la vida.

Pero quien sólo quiera captar la palabra de Dios con el intelecto, tendrá que reconocer más tarde —quizás tan sólo después de algunos golpes del destino— lo que ha rechazado con sus dudas y con su arrogancia intelectual. Tendrá que reconocer que la semilla, la palabra de Dios, dada del cuerno de la abundancia de la vida a través de profetas e iluminados, le habría podido ahorrar muchas cosas.



El libro “Esta es Mi Palabra” seguirá obrando en el Nuevo Tiempo, en el tiempo del Cristo. Mi vida de antaño, en Jesús de Nazaret, y Mi palabra de hoy día [1989], como Cristo, son la base.

Para la vida y el modo de pensar de los hombres del Nuevo Tiempo en el Reino de Paz de Jesucristo, será la medida Mi manera de pensar, enseñar y vivir en Jesús de Nazaret. De este modo estaré muy cerca de ellos. En el espíritu Me saludarán como Hermano suyo y Me aceptarán y acogerán como Soberano del Reino de Dios en la Tierra.

Este libro es una obra del amor y de la vida. Por él los hombres en el Reino de Paz también se enterarán de cómo introduje y edifiqué el tiempo de luz en la Tierra. Se enterarán de que Yo obré a través de muchos que Me fueron fieles, que lucharon y sufrieron conmigo por el Nuevo Tiempo. Este libro, “Esta es Mi Palabra”, es pues un documento histórico. Será leído tanto ahora —en el viejo mundo, que está declinando— como luego —en el Nuevo Tiempo, que está abriéndose cada vez más.

Los hombres reconocerán en ello también el cumplimiento de la obra redentora divina, que empezó con Mis obras como Jesús de Nazaret, después como Redentor, como Cristo de Dios —y ahora como Constructor del Nuevo Tiempo, en el que preparo Mi venida como Soberano del Reino de Paz, en el que seré Hermano de los que, conmigo y con los muchos de corazón puro, vivirán en la hermandad de Cristo.

http://www.universelles-leben.org/cms/es/quienes-somos/el-sermon-de-la-montana.htmlTRABAJADORES DE LA LUZ

EN LA CUNA DE TU CORAZON

Por Richard y Mary-Alice Jafolla

La historia es simple. Estaban José, el carpintero y María, su prometida quien estaba a punto de dar a luz a un Niño Santo.

Después de una larga y tediosa jornada en un camino polvoriento, la pareja intentó en vano obtener una habitación en la posada. Sencillamente, no había lugar donde quedarse. Preguntaron por doquier y la respuesta fue siempre la misma: “No hay habitación disponible”.

Finalmente, la agotada pareja encontró descanso en un humilde establo junto a animales comunes. Dichos animales, con su paz, proporcionaron un escenario perfecto para el nacimiento del Niño Santo.

En cada uno de nosotros mora el “Niño Cristo”—lo sagrado en nosotros. El Cristo en ti espera en perfecta paz y gracias a dicha paz lo puedes conocer. Sabemos que en el Belén de tu alma brilla una estrella que guía el camino hacia el Cristo en ti.

Como los animales humildes que presenciaron el santo nacimiento, abramos las puertas de nuestros corazones de par en par para que el Cristo pueda morar con paz, amor, y alegría absoluta.

“Pero María guardaba todas estas cosas, meditándolas en su corazón”. —Lucas 2:19

Soy Espiritual

Cristo ~ Entra en tu interior.

4. “Pedid, y se os dará; buscad, y hallaréis; llamad a la puerta, y se os abrirá. Porque todo el que pida, recibirá, y quien busque, hallará, y a los que llamen, se les abrirá. (Cap. 27, 4)


Cristo explica, rectifica y profundiza la palabra:

Sólo pide, busca y llama a la puerta de la vida interna el hombre que aún no ha entrado en su interior, en el reino del amor. El Reino de Dios está dentro del alma de cada hombre.

El primer paso en el sendero a la vida interna, en el camino a la puerta de la salvación, es pedir a Dios ayuda y apoyo. El siguiente paso es la búsqueda del amor y de la justicia de Dios. El caminante encuentra la vida, el amor y la justicia de Dios en los mandamientos de la vida, que son indicadores de camino en el camino al interior.

Otro paso es el llamar a la propia cámara del corazón, a la puerta interna. Esta puerta al corazón de Dios sólo se abre al que ha orado, buscado y llamado sinceramente. Al hombre intelectual, que sólo aspira a obtener valores e ideales externos, no se abre la puerta interna. Tampoco los escépticos recibirán.

Así pues, quien pida, busque y llame a la puerta deberá hacerlo por amor a Dios, y no para poner a prueba el amor de Dios.

Comprended: quien sólo quiera poner a prueba el hecho de la existencia real del amor de Dios, topará él mismo muy pronto con la piedra de toque. Al que vive en Dios, le está abierta la puerta del corazón. Ya no necesita pedir —ya ha recibido—; pues Dios conoce a Sus hijos. Quien ha entrado en el corazón de Dios, ya ha recibido en su alma. Esto significa que la riqueza proveniente de Dios brilla incrementadamente en su alma e irradia a través de él, el hombre. Quien ha entrado en su interior, ya no necesita buscar —pues en el reino del interior estará en su hogar—. Y quien conscientemente habita en él, ya no necesita llamar a la puerta; ya ha entrado, y vive en Dios y Dios a través de él.

Sólo pedirán, buscarán y llamarán a la puerta aquellos que todavía estén fuera y no sepan que en lo profundo de su alma llevan lo que verdaderamente les hace ricos: el amor y la sabiduría de Dios.


El Sermón de la Montaña
http://www.universelles-leben.org/cms/es/quienes-somos/el-sermon-de-la-montana.html
TARABAJADORES DE LA LUZ

PRÓXIMA CONFERENCIA TITULADA: EL EVANGELIO OLVIDADO DE JESÚS EN MANAGUA, NICARAGUA apologista | diciembre 23, 2010 at 4:40 pm | Etiquetas: buzzard, conferencia, Cristo, Evangelio, MANAGUA, NICARAGUA | URL: http://wp.me/p6Hrw-82B

Conferencia bíblica que será dada en Enero 7 por el erudito unitario, Sir Anthony F Buzzard, en Managua, Nicaragua. La entrada es libre. Los esperamos a todos!!!

 

PROFECIA JACIK VAN IMPE MINISTRIES

Jack Van Impe Ministries International Newsletter December 20, 2010 (Prophecy portal on the web at www.jvim.com) For information on Viewing past issues, or unsubscribing to this newsletter see the bottom of this newsletter WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER CONTENTS: A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE CHANGED LIVES REPORT HIGHLIGHTED PRODUCT OFFERS PRAYER REQUEST AREA Get the latest important news each day on our DAILY NEWS UPDATE--365 days a year! A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE The Purpose of the Incarnation The past two newsletters dealt with the preexistence of Christ, His deity, and His incarnation. This chapter will thoroughly cover the reason that the eternal God had a birth date into our world. An eternal plan Why did God come through the channel of a virgin's womb? Why was it necessary for God, in spirit form, to take upon himself a body? Philippians 2:5-8 explicitly explains this great theological truth. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. The phrase, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross is the focal point of this discussion. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit held a meeting in eternity past and planned the entire program of redemption. All three were, at that time, in spirit form. God the Father was and still is a spirit (see John 4:24). The Holy Spirit was and still is a spirit (see John 16:13). Christ was a spirit because He was (past tense) in the form of God, which we have already proven to be a spirit form (see Philippians 2:6). However, at this meeting of the Trinity in ages past, it was agreed that one of the three would eventually become a human with a covering of flesh, and Christ was the elected member to fulfill salvation's plan. This can all be proven from the Holy Scriptures. First Peter 1:20: Whoverily...was manifest in these last times for you. Messiah means "sent one." If He is the sent One, He did not originate at Bethlehem's manger. Instead, Galatians 4:4,5 pictures the facts as they occurred. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law. Does this simplistic doctrinal truth penetrate your reasoning processes? Hear it again. God sent forth his Son, made of a woman. There it is-Christ's deity and humanity. His eternity and birth. God sent the Son who was in His presence, meaning that Christ existed as God before coming to earth. However, He was made of a woman when He was sent. This is, of course, the virgin birth which took place in the manger centuries ago when God became man. When the Trinity outlined the plan, all the events of future history were foreknown. Remember, God knows everything. The plan progressed according to the omniscience of the Godhead. Since God knows everything about everything and all things about all things, the following points were known thousands, yes, millions of years before they occurred: 1. Man's disobedience and fall. God placed man in the garden of Eden with certain restrictions. Genesis 2:17: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall surety die. The slithering serpent came along and said in Genesis 3:4, Ye shall not surely die. Instead of listening to Jehovah God, Adam and Eve listened to the devil. Say, all of us are so much like them. We certainly are chips off the old block. Genesis 3:6 states, And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. This wicked, disobedient act against the Lord God Almighty brought judgment upon the entire human race. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:19). Not only did God foreknow the fall of man, but: 2. The Trinity foreordained the temporary sacrifice. I imagine the conversation in the heavenlies went as follows: "Because man will yield to temptation and fall, there will need to be a sacrifice offered. Since sinful flesh is responsible and since the life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11), the decree is established in the counsels of eternity that the shedding of blood, which typifies DEATH to the flesh, will be the eternal sacrifice offered. It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11). Animal blood will be temporarily offered until one of us goes to present the permanent sacrifice." Let's investigate the facts and see if God's program was instituted. After Adam and Eve sinned they knew that they were naked (see Genesis 3:7). The pangs of a guilt-ridden conscience over sin were being experienced. They wanted to cover their bodies and did so by making fig leaf aprons. However, fig leaves that would shrivel up and die in a few days could not satisfactorily handle the situation. Also, dry fig leaves were bloodless and could not make an atonement for the soul. So God, in the cool of the day, visited this couple and covered them adequately-physically and spiritually. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). The skins of animals adequately covered them physically and spiritually. Why? In providing the skins, the blood of the animals was shed. We see the same story unfolded in Genesis 4 concerning Cain and Abel. Their parents, Adam and Eve, had taught them this soul-saving story about the animal skins. Now when the boys were of age and wanted to bring a sacrifice to God, Cain presented an offering of fruit and Abel, of animals. Genesis 4:3-5: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. If you should think that I am stretching the point by stating dogmatically that Cain's offering was rejected because it was devoid of blood, I invite you to confirm this truth in your heart by studying Hebrews 11:4 which emphatically presents the teaching just considered. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Notice they brought their offerings as a sacrifice. God had decreed that blood alone could make an atonement for the soul. Abel, by faith, brought an animal. Notice why he did it. It was by faith. Romans 10:17 says, So then faith cometh by hearing. If he brought it by faith and faith comes by hearing, it is only a logical conclusion to say that he heard the story from the lips of his parents, accepted it, and practiced the shedding of blood because he believed God. Cain, the first liberal or modernist, said, "It's all bunk. I will offer my fruit which contains no blood, and God will have to be satisfied." But God said, "Cain, I reject your bloodless sacrifice." Many have rejected the only method of salvation God has given the world-the shedding or sacrifice of blood for the remission of sins. Self-righteous efforts, good works, prayers, creeds, and religious observances are but offerings of fruit. The Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, and the observance of the Ten Commandments are but the waving of fig leaves in the face of Almighty God. Many of these things are good to practice because one is a Christian, but any method of trying to enter into eternal life that avoids or bypasses the blood will only result in eternal separation from the God who made the decree. It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11). Now, let's go one step farther. 3. The Trinity foreordained the permanent eternal sacrifice. Again we hear the three members of the Godhead speaking in eternity past: "Animal blood will be only a temporary solution because it cannot take away sin, only cover it. Man's blood is tainted through Adam's sin. Therefore only one option or course of action is possible. One of the three of us will have to go to earth and take flesh as a covering. This will be necessary because flesh contains the blood of the body. The One who is chosen to go will have to shed that blood to take away the sins of the human race which animal blood only covered. "The One who goes and takes upon himself that body must have a special birth, because all humans born through natural generation or through the regular channels of birth inherit the old wicked sinful nature of Adam. Therefore, the One chosen will have to have a special birth in the womb of a virgin. The very body will be created and placed in that womb. By this special act of creation-detouring the normal means of reproduction through intercourse-the Saviour will be born into the world. When His blood, holy and pure, is shed, it will take away sin." The eternal truth Does this conversation of the Trinity in ages past seem farfetched to you? Are you wondering if this entire plan presented is really in the Bible? Listen to Revelation 13:8, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. When? In God's mind it was planned at the time of the foundation of the world. That's right, even before Adam and Eve were created. Christ's shedding of His blood did not take Him by surprise nearly 2,000 years ago. Rather, it was part of the plan He had helped initiate before the world was formed. That's why Acts 2:23 states, Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. In other words, the wicked only did to Christ what the foreknowledge of God had planned. Did it happen? Yes. God came into the world in human flesh to take a body that contained blood. It was special blood that did not have the taint of Adam's sin integrated into it by Christ's having a human father. Instead, the Father and the Holy Spirit placed this created miracle into the womb of the virgin without an act of intercourse or human insemination so that pure blood might course through the Redeemer's veins. Then He shed that blood at Calvary to take away sin that had only been covered by animal sacrifices. The proof of these truths is in the following scripture. Hebrews 10:4: For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Notice, animal blood could not take away sins. The Old Testament word atonement means "to cover"-only "to cover." The priest offering the animal blood would say, "I know that this blood only covers the sinner's sin until your sacrificial Lamb comes, dear God." Who was God's Lamb? Hebrews 10:5: Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. That body was prepared in the womb by God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:35: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. When John the Baptist saw Christ upon the earth, he said in John 1:29, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Praise God, this was the Lamb sent from heaven who could take away that which was only temporarily covered through the blood of animals. On the cross, Christ cried out, "It is finished." He was not speaking about His life, but about the plan that had been foreordained before the foundation of the world. Am I certain of this? Yes. redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:18-20). Imagine, this precious blood shed for your sins was planned for you before the world was formed. Seven hundred times the blood is mentioned as the only-THE ONLY-way of salvation. Believe it and receive the Christ who shed that pure blood for your transgressions. FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE Is There Room in Your Heart for Him? What a special time of the year! Thanksgiving and Christmas are more precious to me than any other holidays, and they so beautifully go hand in hand. More and more, Dr. Van Impe and I realize the importance of being grateful for the true essence of Christmas - that God became flesh. He came as a baby, humbling himself to a manger, and, one day, to Calvary's tree for you and me. Oh, what love! I wonder if we can really understand the emotion in heaven and the joy here on earth as Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem just prior to the birth of Christ. Can you see them as they wearily make their way through the narrow streets of Bethlehem? Mary, tired from the long journey, sits on the little donkey as Joseph leads it along. Their journey is almost over, and none too soon. They stop in front of one of the inns in Bethlehem. With a tender word, Joseph comforts his wife and then strides quickly toward the inn door. Have you ever wondered what Mary was thinking as Joseph knocked at the innkeeper's door? Perhaps she was remembering what her cousin Elizabeth had said to her some time before. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:42-45). Mary knew how blessed she was, for out of all the women in the world, God had chosen her to give the world this baby; He was the Son of God, produced by the Holy Spirit, waiting to be born in Bethlehem (see Luke 1:35 and Hebrews 10:5). Mary knew about the promise that foretold: But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2). Mary's mind didn't dare leap ahead to contemplate the rest of those words. It was enough for her to know that she was, at this very moment, in Bethlehem (ancestral home of King David, Joseph's forefather) and that her time to give birth was at hand. Mary looked at Joseph, footsore and fatigued from walking alongside the donkey all the way so that she could ride. She knew how blessed she was to have this good and just man as her husband. He had handled the situation so well. He had shown her nothing but love and concern. More than once he had told her, "I know, beloved wife, that this child has been conceived in a special way. The angel laid all my fears to rest." Joseph had learned of Mary's pregnancy after she returned from visiting Elizabeth. For six months, they had marveled at the conversations they each had with the angel. It must have been awesome for them, realizing that the Holy Ghost had visited Mary and that the child she carried was a divine original. "Oh, Joseph," I can hear Mary saying, "He is to be called 'the Son of God'." "Yes, Mary," Joseph responded, "and His name is to be called JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." Did they recall the words of Isaiah? Did they repeat those names? Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel ... For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6). Perhaps Mary remembered those conversations as her husband knocked at the innkeeper's door. She was so tired. The journey had been long and hard. But now, at last, they had arrived in Bethlehem. For us, today, a journey to Bethlehem is still not easy. In the hustle and bustle of the season, there are many things to deter us. We've all heard that we should keep Christ in Christmas, but let's be sure that we keep ourselves in Christmas, as well! If we are not careful, we can become so busy with Yuletide activities that we are exhausted before we get to Bethlehem - and miss the real Christmas altogether. Knock ... knock ... knock! Joseph knocks at the innkeeper's door. A Baby is about to be born - the most important Baby ever to be born on this earth. "Let us in ... let Him in ... out of the cold and darkness of the night ." But the Bible tells us there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). No room! Those are heart-rending words. Would we have said that? Yet, isn't it being said every day? We are all innkeepers, with room for many things, but do we have room for Him? In our lives - shabby stables that they are - He may be cradled, but we must give Him room. Joseph, the rugged carpenter of Nazareth, a just man whose faith transcended his misgivings, enfolded Mary's helplessness in his strong arms as he lifted her off the back of the little donkey. Someone had tapped him on his sagging shoulders and said, "There is a place, if your wife won't mind. I know I can fix it and make it clean. It will be quiet there ... and warm." Joseph had ministered to Mary's needs in that weary pilgrimage to Bethlehem; but his husbandly duties had not yet ended. Mary in a stable? The Son of God born in a barn? How his mind must have reeled. Remember, he was very human. Husband, would you like for your wife to give birth to her firstborn in a stable? What lowly circumstances! The Lord of all heaven and earth was about to make His human presence known in the world - but in a barn? This was not the birthplace Joseph had imagined for JESUS. Barns smell, not just of clean hay, but of animals. Barns are not always sanitary. Oh, the lovely Nativity scenes we see at Christmas do not begin to portray what Joseph and Mary must have experienced in those pre-birth moments, as they contemplated their plight. Humanly speaking, one wishes we could push back the pages of time and make it different - but it happened just as God ordained it before the beginning of time. And so it was, that ... she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:6,7). As we recall this short synopsis of the most beautiful story ever given from God, may your heart be reminded of the importance of remembering, not just the gifts that are to come, the families we are to see, and the loved ones we shall enjoy, but remembering the true message of Christmas - God's love for us. And may we not get so distracted by the many activities of the holiday season that we never even reach Bethlehem. Dr. Van Impe and I are grateful for the opportunity to share the saving message of God's love for the world in these closing days of time. Thank you for your prayers and support. CHANGED LIVES-one at a time Dear Rexella, I am feeling gently admonished, humbled & very blessed at my writing of this. For several years my husband & I have enjoyed watching your program. About 2 years ago I ordered the Prophesy Bible Jack has had published & at that time was put on your mailing list. I am ashamed to say that I just moved the messages to a folder, unread. And then for awhile I didn’t receive them; having unsubcribed. Without going into detail, 2009 & part of 2010 was a very difficult time for us. The recession was hard on us, particularly my husband. There were many tears shed as I continued to endeavor to be the wife God wanted me to be. Things are better now, but my husband still carries a heavy burden (& I for him) I feel I can only pray about. Yesterday I was reading some emails & I know that the Holy Spirit, seeing my need of encouragement, directed me to your newsletter. I read "Listen - He speaks ever so softly". I am in tears again. Thank you for your evident listening to God’s call on your life to minister to the saints. My prayer is that as you refresh the hearts of God’s people, you too will be refreshed. Blessings, L. R. Dear Drs. Jack & Rexella, Greetings in the precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Words cannot express what a blessing your newsletters are to Me! I read every one of them without fail. By God's grace you seem to know today what will happen tomorrow and, as such, nothing in this world occurring now seems to take you both by surprise. Thank you for giving us timely warning. Forewarned is to be forearmed, it is said, and how very true is it. I know what you say is true and I do heed your advice, as it is revealed to you from above. Whatever happens around me, I can still find peace with God through you. My grateful thanks to you both once again, and may the never-failing good Lord bless you both now, always and in all ways. Yours in His service, J. M. HIGHLIGHTED PRODUCT OFFERS December 21st 2012: History’s Final Day? Could various cultural and secular sources be right about earth's final day? Ancient Romans believed 2012 would be an historic year. Ancient Mayan prophecy of the world's end revolved around 2012. The Ancient Chinese I Ching predicted doomsday in 2012. In the 16th Century, English prophetess Mother Shipton said history would end in 2012! Do these prophecies from all over the world correspond with the truth of God's Word? In their exciting video teaching, Drs. Jack and Rexella Van Impe demonstrate the very real possibility that 2012 could be a year of culmination - could December 21st 2012 be history's final day? Conflicts & Conquests Discover the exciting story of how God has used the Van Impes to win the lost to Jesus Christ and how God wants to use you too! The sheer volume of their work is staggering. Through hundreds of crusades, banquets and church revivals: through thousands of TV programs and a wealth of books, audio cassettes and videos: through music song and the powerful spoken word, Jack Van Impe Ministries has become the tireless tool of the Master, bringing millions to salvation at the foot of the cross. The fascinating story of their unprecedented success is also the story of the dynamic forces God uses to shape us all. It's the story of Conflicts and Conquests WE ACCEPT PRAYER REQUESTS HERE We receive prayer requests from far and wide via the mail, fax, phone, email and now through the prayer section of our website. FEEDBACK: Please help us with your valuable input. Let us know if you enjoyed this electronic newsletter. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! CONTACT INFORMATION: E-MAIL: jvimi@jvim.com PHONE: (248) 852-5225 (8am-4:30pm Eastern Time) FAX: (248) 852-2692 MAIL: In the U.S.: Jack Van Impe Ministries Box 7004 Troy MI 48007 U.S.A. In Canada: Jack Van Impe Ministries of Canada Box 1717 Postal Station A Windsor, ON N9A 6Y1 Privacy Notice: Jack Van Impe Ministries is a non-profit, religious corporation registered in the state of Michigan in the U.S.A. and a registered charity in the province of Ontario in Canada. Our policy has been and will always be to never sell, rent, or barter the names and/or information about those who contact our international ministries. 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LA METÁFORA DEL PESCADOR apologista | diciembre 18, 2010 at 6:02 pm | Etiquetas: a pescador, Cristo, Evangelio, mensaje, metáfor, muerte, REINO, resurrección, sepultura | URL: http://wp.me/p6Hrw-7ZG

Por Ingº Mario A Olcese (Apologista)

El Señor Jesucristo vino a predicar lo que yo llamo el "Qué” del mensaje o de la propuesta de salvación de Dios" y Pablo vino a predicar ese mismo "Qué", pero además, el "cómo" ser beneficiario de esa propuesta de salvación. Es decir, Jesús vino a ofrecernos algo que significaría la salvación del hombre, y ese algo era su mensaje del reino de Dios, un gobierno divino que se establecerá en la tierra cuando Cristo regrese en persona para restaurar todas las cosas (Hechos 3:19-21). Ese reino era el reino de David que quedó suspendido en el 586 AC con el derrocamiento de Sedequías, el rey Judío impío e idólatra, por Nabucodonosor, el rey de Babilonia. Desde esa fecha el pueblo original de Dios se quedó sin reino y sin rey, pero Dios había prometido a través de su profeta Ezequiel que ese reino davídico suspendido sería restaurado nuevamente en la tierra a través de un descendiente del rey David, el Señor Jesucristo (Eze. 21:25-27). Ese reino vino a ser proclamado por Cristo como las Buenas nuevas o el evangelio del reino (Marcos 1,1,14,15; Mateo 24:14). Es decir, el premio que debe ser ofrecido al potencial creyente es el reino de Dios, el cual es el evangelio salvador para todo aquel que lo cree (Rom. 1:16, Mar. 1:14,15,16; 16:15,16).

Más adelante Pablo aparecerá predicando ese mismo evangelio cuando fue llamado por Jesús en una visión en el camino a Damasco (Hechos 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,30,31), pero él le agregará un punto más, la necesidad de creer por fe en la muerte, sepultura, y resurrección de Cristo al tercer día (1 Cor. 15:1-9). 

Cada Creyente es un pescador  

En buena cuenta, lo que trato de decir es que somos como pescadores. Nuestra "carnada sabrosa" para que los peces (potenciales creyentes) puedan picar y ser sacados del océano del mundo se llama "el reino de Dios", y la forma para sacar esos peces que han mordido (creído) esa carnada (el evangelio del reino de Dios) es a través de una caña de pescar y su nylon, que representan la muerte vicaria de Jesús por nosotros, y su resurrección victoriosa al tercer día de entre los muertos. Si creemos en ese magnífico reino de Dios prometido por Cristo y en su muerte, sepultura y resurrección al tercer día para darnos vida, entonces heredaremos la salvación en el reino de Dios. ¡¡¡Pero lo que hacen los evangelistas de hoy es predicarnos sobre la caña y el nylon de pescar, pero no nos mencionan para nada el anzuelo y la carnada deliciosa que debe usarse, y que es precisamente el reino de Dios!!!

En las Escrituras vemos que se requiere un “nuevo nacimiento” para ver y entrar en el reino. Ese renacimiento es por agua (la palabra de Dios y el consiguiente bautismo), y por Espíritu, que nos sella para convertirnos en herederos de Dios y coherederos con Cristo de ese reino estupendo. Y es que si el Espíritu que resucitó a Cristo de entre los muertos también mora en cada uno de nosotros, entonces igualmente podremos resucitar inmortales para heredar el reino incorruptible (Ver Romanos 8:11).

Es, pues, un error decir que el evangelio es simplemente la muerte, sepultura, y resurrección de Cristo al tercer día, pues Pablo dice que éste es simplemente el principio de su evangelio, más no el todo (1 Cor.15:3). El TODO es el evangelio del reino (el anzuelo con la carnada) y la muerte, sepultura y resurrección de Cristo al tercer día (la caña y el nylon que jala al pez atrapado en el anzuelo). Si empleamos el anzuelo, la carnada, la caña y en el nylon apropiados, entonces podremos sacar con éxito lmuchos peces del mar.

En resumen, creyendo en Cristo y en su sacrificio por nuestros pecados y en su victoriosa resurrección, entonces nosotros podremos igualmente resucitar de la tumba para ingresar a ese reino como personas inmortales, ya que "carne y sangre" (los mortales) no lo pueden heredar (1 Cor. 15:50).

DEBEMOS BUSCAR LA APROBACIÓN DE DIOS apologista | Diciembre 14, 2010 at 3:01 pm | Etiquetas: APROBACIÓN, Dios, EXCELENCIA | URL: http://wp.me/p6Hrw-7WL

LA NECESIDAD DE SER APROBADOS POR DIOS

1. Hechos 2:22: Varones israelitas, oíd estas palabras: Jesús nazareno, varón APROBADO por Dios entre vosotros con las maravillas, prodigios y señales que Dios hizo entre vosotros por medio de él, como vosotros mismos sabéis;

2. Romanos 16:10: Saludad a Apeles, APROBADO en Cristo. Saludad a los de la casa de Aristóbulo.

3. 1 Corintios 11:19: Porque es preciso que entre vosotros haya disensiones, para que se hagan manifiestos entre vosotros los que son APROBADOS.

4. 2 Corintios 10:18: porque no es APROBADO el que se alaba a sí mismo, sino aquel a quien Dios alaba.

5. 2 Corintios 13:7: Y oramos a Dios que ninguna cosa mala hagáis; no para que nosotros aparezcamos APROBADOS, sino para que vosotros hagáis lo bueno, aunque nosotros seamos como reprobados.

6. 1 Tesalonicenses 2:4: sino que según fuimos APROBADOS por Dios para que se nos confiase el evangelio, así hablamos; no como para agradar a los hombres, sino a Dios, que prueba nuestros corazones.

7. 2 Timoteo 2:15: Procura con diligencia presentarte a Dios APROBADO, como obrero que no tiene de qué avergonzarse, que usa bien la palabra de verdad.

8. 1 Pedro 2:20: Pues ¿qué gloria es, si pecando sois abofeteados, y lo soportáis? Mas si haciendo lo bueno sufrís, y lo soportáis, esto ciertamente es APROBADO delante de Dios.

Jack Van Impe Ministries International Newsletter December 13, 2010 (Prophecy portal on the web at www.jvim.com) For information on Viewing past issues, or unsubscribing to this newsletter see the bottom of this newsletter WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER CONTENTS: A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE CHANGED LIVES REPORT HIGHLIGHTED PRODUCT OFFERS PRAYER REQUEST AREA Get the latest important news each day on our DAILY NEWS UPDATE--365 days a year! A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE The Deity of Christ The thought of an eternal God being born may seem to be a contradiction of terms, but when one studies the God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ, insurmountable evidence supporting this truth manifests itself upon the pages of Holy Writ. The teachings of Christ's  deity must be an accepted truth if one is to enter the  eternal home of the redeemed. John, in his first epistle, makes this dogmatic  assertion: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have  handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was  manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with  the Father, and was manifested unto us) (1 John 1:1,2). There is no doubt that the One John saw, heard, and touched was that Eternal Life which was with  the Father. In chapter 2, verse 22, of this same epistle, John goes  on to say, Who is a liar but he that denieth...the Father and the Son. When one denies that Christ is the eternal One who came to earth clothed in human flesh, this skeptic or doubter immediately is classified as a liar  and an antichrist. Since no liar or antichrist may enter the presence of God in that condition, it is abundantly  clear that the one who denies the eternity of Christ is lost. In 1 John 4 another warning is presented. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. How does one recognize the false prophets? Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every  spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not  that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist (verses 1-3). Since spirits refers to teachers or preachers, the apostle is  saying that preachers denying the doctrine of God coming in the flesh are preachers or teachers possessed by the spirit of Antichrist. God wrote it. I only quote it, but I believe it. Then John states in chapter 5, verse 1, Whosoever  believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Messiah, translated Christus or Christ means "the  Sent One". Since He was sent from the Father, the  conclusive proof is that He already existed. If He preexisted His mission to earth, He did not begin in Bethlehem's manger. The teaching of the Holy Bible is that He eternally existed as God, the second member of the Trinity, and came to earth to be  clothed with a body containing blood so that He might die for sinners. Is He really God? Did He  really exist before His birth upon earth? What  does the Holy Spirit state in the Word of God? Christ’s deity in the Old Testament Isaiah 9:6 states, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder. This prophet speaks about  Christ's incarnation and humanity in the phrase a child is born and about His eternity and deity in the other phrase a son is given.in and carnis, meaning "flesh" or "in the flesh". Thus, at this incarnation or coming in the flesh, He was the  child born. However, as the son given. He always existed-uncreated and unborn. Incarnation comes from the Latin words Micah 5:2 states, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. This again points to the uncreated, eternal Son of God. Psalm 45:6: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and  ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.  This great Old Testament scripture, addressed to God, is about the Lord Jesus Christ. Who said so? The greatest authority in heaven and  earth-Jehovah, the Father. Prove it? I will! In Hebrews 1:8 we find Jehovah God of the Old Testament speaking: Unto the Son he saith,  Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Isn't this fantastic? The Father calls Christ "God" for ever  and ever. Followers of Jehovah would be wise to listen to His voice and give Christ the glory due His holy name. God had His Son with Him from all eternity past. Christ was present when the human race was created. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were involved in Genesis 1:26  when God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. The pronouns us and ourWho hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the  ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? The Son is present in the Old Testament scriptures hundreds of years before His human birth occurs in the New Testament. Rational, logical contemplation makes one realize that He preexisted as God, the Son. speak of a plurality or trinity of personages. This same Christ was present when the earth was formed and set into motion. Proverbs 30:4: Christ's deity in the New Testament (The Trinity) The title of "God" is given to our Saviour on numerous occasions. Matthew 1:23 declares, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. In the first chapter of John, Christ is called "the Word." Verse 14: And the  Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. The only member of the Trinity who became flesh was Christ. Since the term Word is synonymous with Christ, as  has just been proven, let's put the term Christ in place of Word in John 1:1-3 and see the results. In the beginning was , and was with God, and was God.  The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by ; and without was not any thing made that was made. John 1:10 states, He was in the world, and the world  was made by him, and the world knew him not. Now we have just heard from the Author of this book, the Holy Spirit, who said that Christ was from the beginning, that He was God, and that He created the world. Yes, Christ shared this creative ministry with the Father and Holy Spirit. This is so because all three members of the one Godhead always existed. To prove that the Holy Spirit was also present at the time of creation, one need only study Genesis 1:1,2. In the beginning God [this is the plural noun Elohim,  meaning "more than one"] created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and  darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The combining of John 1:10 and Genesis 1:1,2 proves conclusively that the entire Trinity was present at the creation of the world. Some scoff at the teaching of a Trinity. They say,  "The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, so there can't be such a doctrine." Well, the word Bible is not found in the Bible either, but I guarantee that there is such a book-and the teaching of the Trinity is found repeatedly throughout God's Word. Man has given the title "Trinity" to the doctrine because the meaning of the word is "three." Since there are three- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-"Trinity" is a properly designated theological term. Let's continue our search of the scriptures  concerning the deity of Christ. The Philippian  jailor cried out in Acts 16:30, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Paul and Silas replied, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house (verse 31). The entire family made a commitment to this Christ and verse 34 finds  them rejoicing. Why? Because they believed in  God with all their house. Here is unequivocal proof that Christ is God. Compare the two verses again. Acts 16:31: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  Verse 34 says he believed in God- the Christ of  verse 31. Again we see the truth in Romans 9:5 which states, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever.  First Timothy 3:16 declares, Great is the mystery of  godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, and Hebrews 1:8 says, But unto the Son he saith,  Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. This is  Jehovah God telling the world that His Son is God. Never mind the book peddlers who run from door to door with their teaching of Christ being an inferior  God, a little created God. Some even call Him Michael,  the archangel. Jehovah knows everything for He is  omniscient and all-wise, and He calls Jesus "God."  I say with Paul in Romans 3:4, Let God be true,  but every man a liar. Christ’s Deity through a comparison of Old and  New Testament texts Perhaps the most interesting and exciting proof of  Christ's deity is discovered when one compares the statements of God in the Old Testament with His revealed truth in the New. For example, in Isaiah 42:8, God states, I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to  graven images. Since Jehovah will not give His glory to another but is willing to share it with Christ, it is only logically deductible to say that they must be one and coequal. The sharing of this glory takes place  when God's people lay their crowns at the feet of the Saviour in Revelation 4:11, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created Again the King of glory is Jehovah in Psalm 24:10.   Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is  the King of glory. The noun LORD in this text is the Hebrew word Jehovah, the name of the Father. However, when one examines 1 Corinthians 2:8, he discovers that the Lord of glory was crucified. Thus Christ is also called the Lord of glory. Will you Bible manipulators tell me how there can be two Lords of glory, coequal, if there is no Trinity? Once again Isaiah 9:6 calls the child born and the  son given, The mighty God, The everlasting Father.  If these are titles of the Son, how many mighty Gods  and everlasting Fathers are there? The answer is one  because of the unity and oneness of the Trinity. Jesus said, I and my Father are one (John 10:30). Psalm 10:16 says, The LORD is King for ever and ever. Again we have problems if there is no Trinity because  we now have two kings. When one studies Revelation 19:11,16, he finds that Christ, the King of kings, comes to set up His kingdom upon this earth. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True.  Verse 16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF  LORDS. This constant reiteration of identical names and  titles for both Father and Son can mean only one  thing to honest, searching hearts. It is that Christ  is God, coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit.  Deuteronomy 32:39 states, There is no god and  yet 1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that God was made  manifest in the flesh. The only solution is the  doctrine of the Triune God which the saints of  all ages have proclaimed. The only groups in the  annals of history that ever fought this precious truth were rebel-rousing heretics. Mr. Scoffer, you who would make Christ but a  mere man, what will you do with Jonah 2:9? Salvation is of the LORD. Or Isaiah 43:11 which says, I,  even I, am the LORD ; and beside me there is no  saviour. If there is no other Saviour but Jehovah, and Christ is called "the Saviour" scores of times in the Bible, then He and the Father must be one or there are two Saviours. Christ is the God who left the bosom of the Father to die on Calvary's cross. There He shed the pure sinless blood that coursed through His veins so that sinners might be eternally saved. The Bible teaches that He is  the only Saviour. Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other  name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Since both Jehovah and Christ are called "Saviour," let's believe that the Trinity alone presents the answer. Christ was incarnated, not created There are those who teach that the Father always existed and that Christ was created. Perish the thought! Christ always existed and was not created. Isaiah 43:10 states, Before me there was no God  formed, neither shall there be after me. In simple English, no God was created before or after Jehovah. They coexisted as a Trinity eternally. Thus Christ was from all eternity or He wasn't. Either He always  existed or He didn't. Since no God was created before  or after Jehovah, we take Micah 5:2 for what it says  about the One who was to come to earth and  experience a human birth. He was from of old,  from everlasting. Thus, His human birth was not  His creation. Rather, as we discussed earlier in this chapter, the word incarnation comes from the Latin words incarnis, meaning "in the flesh." and An eternal God having a birth is not contradictory. In eternity He was God. To become a man, a birth  had to occur. None of us can become another  species without the miracle of a birth. God had to become incarnated (become flesh) so that He  could shed the pure, sinless blood that flowed in His veins. The miracle of the Holy Spirit's insemination of the virgin Mary's ova and womb with the body and blood of God the Son made this shedding of blood possible. This was a necessity  because the blood of animals could not take away sin, only cover the sinner's transgression. Hebrews 10:4 states, For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.  So verse 5 has Christ saying, A body hast thou prepared me. God lived in that body, went to the  cross in that body, shed the blood in that body to take away the sins that had only been covered, died in that body, arose three days later in that same body, ascended to heaven in that body, and will throughout eternity live in that body in which He had the birth. For in him dwelleth all  the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). There it is. The eternal God left heaven to be born into human flesh because a body could contain  sinless blood through a virgin birth. That blood  was shed for sins and can wash you from every stain and taint of this world's defilement when  you put your trust in the God in whom the Philippian jailor trusted, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do it today. FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE Where Would I Be? We are in my favorite time of the year. As we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas my mind goes back to all  those wonderful times I had together with my family. We had a wonderful tradition in our home for Christmas. We would never open our gifts until my Father read the entire Christmas story. He always emphasized that the birth of the Savior is what Christmas is truly about, not the opening of gifts, not even enjoying Mother’s wonderful dinner, but the  awe inspiring fact that God became Flesh to dwell among us. What a  blessing it was to be reared in a home that taught the truths of God’s love and the joy of celebrating the birth of Christ as a family. We recognize the contrast this is to what the world celebrates today. The emphasis in our society is shopping, decorating, and rushing around so much to the point that we hardly have time to enjoyChristmas. It seems like the stores put up their Christmas sale displays earlier and earlier each year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of them come up with a "Back to School Christmas Sale" in the month of August. Christmas has become a time when people often go out on a limb financially, and even get into debt in order to provide gifts for friends and loved ones. There is nothing wrong with wanting to give someone a gift. There is a special joy and blessing in sharing as long as we put the right value on it. A gift under the tree should always remind us of the gift from Heaven - the tree also should remind us ultimately of why Jesus came to be our Savior. And of course this reminds us of Calvary’s tree. Every gift that we buy; every gift that we open, and every gift that we look at under the tree should remind us of the greatest gift of all - a gift that was laid in the manger and wrapped in the simplest way - in swaddling clothes; which brings us to the Christmas story. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7). As I read of our Lord’s birth in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, I cannot help but wonder two things. Where would I have been and what would I have done if I had been on the earth at that time. Would I have reacted the same way to this ancient scenario as some people reacted? First of all where would I have been and how would I have responded if I had been the innkeeper? We all know that as a result of the decree of Caesar Augustus every person was required to go to the town of his or her birth to register and pay taxes. This is why the innkeeper had a problem. Yes, the inn was filled to capacity and therefore no room was available for Joseph and Mary. I’m sure that if he had an extra room he would have said "Oh yes, you are going to have a baby, you are going to soon bring forth a child and so I need to give you the best room in my inn". But because of the overflow of people there was no room in the inn. If I had been the innkeeper would I have been sitting behind the desk saying "I don’t have room for you, but I’ll put you in the stable"? Or would I have come out from behind that desk with compassion and understanding and found a warm and comfortable place for Mary to have her precious baby? Every time I read this passage I think of the story of the young boy who was born with Down Syndrome who had a part in his church’s Christmas pageant. This young boy loved the Lord and was so proud to be playing the part of the innkeeper. He went around the house practicing his lines: "There’s no room at the inn - you will have to stay in the stable." The night of the pageant came and there he was, dressed in costume and standing before the audience. The two children came in who were playing the parts of Joseph and Mary; said their lines and waited for the response from the innkeeper. He looked nervous, but then took a deep breath and said his line just as he had practiced it - "There’s no room at the inn - you’ll have to stay in the stable." As Mary and Joseph started to exit the stage to move on to the next scene, a pained look came across his face and suddenly he cried out: "No, wait, wait, you can have MY room!" Oh, to have such a loving heart as that precious child exhibited. What a joy that would have been for me if I had been able to say as the innkeeper, please come and stay in my room; enjoy my humble dwelling and let me help you through this special time as you are ready to give birth. Would I have just remained behind that desk and said to my co-workers ‘Take them into the stable and they can have the straw out there on which to lay the baby’. It brings tears to my eyes to think that this is where God knew and divinely planned for His Son to be born. The Gospel is story in inclusive of every class of people; the lowly as well as the middle and upper class of society. I would probably say that the innkeeper would be considered, in that era of time, as the middle class of his society. Had I been in the Middle class of that day would I have been humble enough to say "I will go into the stable, you stay in my room" where would I have been if God had given me this choice to make. What a great opportunity to show my love and compassion for the parents and for the Savior of the world. Let’s take a look at another class of people - the lowly shepherds. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:8-10) Being a shepherd during the time of Christ was not a 9 - 5 job. The shepherds would spend every hour of every day with their sheep, leading them, protecting them from predators and thieves, and tending their wounds. If I had been a chosen shepherd that heard the voice of an angel would I have received the message? Or would I have said "Oh no, oh my goodness, this is just a dream, I can’t accept this. This is too much to absorb, who am I? I’m just a poor little shepherd out here I can’t be expected to actually have seen an angel and have the glory of the Lord around me and hear the angel announce "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" I find it hard to imagine what they thought. But where would I have been? Would I have said "I’m going to leave the sheep and I’m going to follow the greatest announcement that has ever been given to the world and that is that Christ the Lord has been born. Traditionally, the sheep that were raised in the fields near Bethlehem were used for the Temple sacrifices to cover the sins of the people. How beautiful and how perfect is it that God called these shepherds, who were very familiar with the requirements for a sacrificial lamb, to be the first ones to see, outside of Mary and Joseph, the "...Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" I pray that I would have done exactly what these lowly shepherds did. That I would have not only listened to the announcement but I would have heard and reacted positively "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." I can almost hear God saying: Well, you may have trouble believing in the message from one angel, so I’ll show you the Heavenly Host. If there had been any shadow of a doubt in their minds, there could be no question that this was something tremendously out of the ordinary. Think of it, the shepherds could have been frightened beyond all description, but the minute they heard the host praising God and saying Glory to God, the shepherds said "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem..." I can’t imagine the tremendous shaking in their hearts as they thought "here is God’s Son being born. Let’s go now to see heavens greatest gift to the world." Once we get a message from Heaven, our response should be "let’s go now." When Jesus gave the great commission our response should be "let’s go now." I am so grateful that God not only gave the Middle Class (the innkeeper) the opportunity to come forth and be blessed, but He also gave the humble lowly shepherds the same opportunity. Once again let’s consider a third class of people. The wealthy upper class - yes the lofty wise men who responded to another heavenly sign and came to worship Jesus. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him (Matthew 2:1,2) Nothing much is known about these wise men, or Magi, other than they were from the Orient. Historically the Magi were scholars, with a great knowledge of science, agriculture, mathematics, and history. These Magi saw a spectacular star appear in the sky, such as they had never seen before, and they took it to be an indication of an extraordinary person being born in the land of Judea. If I had been a scholar, a wealthy wise man, and I saw a star suddenly appear before me, would I have followed it? It would have been very easy for them to say: "If an important King was born that warrants such a sign, I’m sure that we will hear of it soon in our own country and then we can go and pay homage to him." But they did not wait, they set out to find this King, and to worship Him. It was not easy as they traveled the dusty, hot long trail on their camels. Yes it necessitated going through the desert and all of this simply because of a star giving the announcement of Christ’s birth. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they began asking: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" The original Greek here emphasizes a continual action, suggesting that they went up to every person they saw and asked this question. Because they as foreigners knew of this monumental birth, they assumed that everyone in Judea, and especially in Jerusalem would have been aware of this also. Can you imagine the shock they felt when no one seemed to know about that to which they were referring? I believe that they must have begun to question all that they had seen and heard up to this point. Here they were after having traveled a long distance because of a star that they had seen while in their homeland. They must have been terribly confused as to where they should go. Despite what is traditionally taught, the Bible here indicates that the star did not appear to them and lead them during their travels. The passage here tells us that they did not see the star again until after they had met with Herod. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2:9,10) The joy that they felt when they saw the star once again was almost indescribable. The original text piles up superlative upon superlative to emphasize the extent of exhilaration they felt. The star not only reappeared, but it led them directly to the home where Jesus was. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11) When they got to the house of Mary and Joseph, they did something that they longed to do, they bowed down and worshipped Jesus. Then they presented their gifts to Him, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. The Bible does not tell us what was done with these gifts, but it is very likely that Joseph used them to finance their trip they had made to Egypt and help to support the family while they were there. We know the reason for their journey to Egypt as found in Matthew 2:13-15. Now, I must put myself in the Magi’s place. Where would I have been while in the atmosphere of my homeland? Could I be thinking "I don’t need the desert, I don’t need to get on that camel and go to who knows where and would I have tried to rationalize the signs away? After all there could be many meanings to that star, how do I know for certain that this is really something special. It could just be an unusual confluence of stars in the sky, and it doesn’t have any special meaning. Thank the Lord they said that this is significant, this is important, we have to go and find out about the true meaning of this special sign. They went, they asked the right questions until they got the true answer they needed to find Christ Jesus the Savior of the world. Would I have been that persistent? As the innkeeper would I have stayed behind the counter and told Mary her she could go into the stable to have her child amongst the animals? Instead I trust that I would have been quickly on my feet to help her. I pray that I would have been one of the shepherds quickly on my feet to say "let us go now" as the angels have instructed us. And if I had been a wealthy Magi I trust that I would have used that wisdom to follow the star and keep asking the right question until I found the way to worship Jesus. What would I have done if I lived back then? Whether I was wealthy, middle class, or poor, where would I be? I trust that I would have made the right choice. Today I have the joy of making the right choice! I have chosen to open my heart and life to Jesus the Lord and ask Him to dwell there. Truly one can only be complete if He is in the heart! As we celebrate this glorious season we need to keep our eyes on what is truly important. This is so beautifully illustrated in the painting by Rembrandt The Adoration of the Shepherds where all of the light was made to fall on the baby in the manger. Every one and everything else was only in the shadows. Let us focus on Him, now and always. CHANGED LIVES-one at a time Hi: As a viewer of your program for a while now, I want to thank you for your weekly TV show - - and the uncompromising Bible-based truth that you give us week after week..... St. Paul must be especially proud of your accurate quotes of his beautiful words...... One only has to look at today's headlines to see how prophecy is being fulfilled and you are both at the cutting edge of getting the Word of God out to the world. L. J. M. Hi Jack and Rexella. You are an inspiration to me in your weekly newsletters and your TV programs. You make me realize how important it is to follow God and His Word. I have been backslidden but am doing the best I can to turn my life around. You are a blessing and will truly be blessed, as I'm sure, you already are. Thank you for helping spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in a true blue way. You both are in my prayers. I hope you will pray for me also, to be ready for Christ's return, along with my family. Thank you. C. S. HIGHLIGHTED PRODUCT OFFERS The Jack Van Impe Prophecy Bible New Third Edition Now includes Daniel Final End Times Mysteries Unsealed A full commentary on the book of Daniel by Dr. Jack Van Impe All the prophecy verses in the Bible shaded and identified. The majestic King James Version translation, with words of Christ in red. A ribbon bookmarker. A special presentation page - perfect for gift-giving An inspiring introductory message from Dr. Jack Van Impe. 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